In Round 8 action of the Ron Massey Cup, the Western Suburbs Magpies have defeated a determined Kingsgrove Colts by 22 points in a scrappy affair which could be described as a “Jekyll and Hyde” performance. At times Wests looked brilliant with slick passing and creative attacking flair, yet were able to undo all of their good work with some poor handling errors and loose defence particularly in the second half.

Western Suburbs head coach Leo Epifania, whilst satisfied with the 2 points, was clearly unhappy in the way his team had finished the game and lamented lost scoring opportunities that should have seen Wests win by a higher margin

“It was a bit disappointing to be honest. It wasn't how we planned it. We kept turning the ball over, we should have won by more”.

Wests began the game brilliantly scoring their first try of the day in under a minute with Jerome Mose accepting a handy pass from Junior Vaivai. Dayne Craig made no mistake with the extras 6-0 Wests.

Coach Epifania could be heard giving instructions to his trainer asking his players to keep up the intensity. The Magpies certainly heeded their coach’s request when they scored again. This time Andrew Sultana was across the try line courtesy of some excellent work by Sam Aiga and Michael Stevens who softened the Kingsgrove defence before handing off to Sultana. Dayne Craig made sure of the extra kick 12-0 Wests.

“It was a bit disappointing to be honest. It wasn't how we planned it. We kept turning the ball over, we should have won by more”

Western Suburbs Magpies coach Leo Epifania

To emphasise the inconsistency of Wests game, in the next set of tackles, a fifth tackle bomb kick from Kingsgrove saw Wests full-back Sam Aiga drop a chance that should have been secured.The error gave Kingsgrove excellent field position. Thankfully Jerome Mose and Michael Stevens tackled well to keep out a determined Colts offense.

Despite the excellent defensive effort from Wests, Kingsgrove were determined to score. On the back of a Magpies knock on, the Colts used the scrum close to the tryline to their advantage. Misieli Vaikeli scored the try with Jordie Hodges making sure of the conversion 12-6 Wests.

Wests countered the score from Kingsgrove when they cashed in on a knock by the Colts. Sonny Bristow muscled his way through the Kingsgrove defence and the Magpies had another score on the board. Gun hooker Dayne Craig kept it at 100% making it 3 from 3 conversions Wests led 18-6

Another try was soon on the board after a penalty. In similar circumstances to the Bristow try, Tunui Maurangi powered in to put Wests further ahead of the Colts. Craig made no mistake 24-6 for Wests.

On the stroke of half-time Wests scored a ripping try when Tom Satterswaite scored in the far left corner of the Wests Leagues club end of Campbelltown Stadium. Michael Stevens missed the extras but The Magpies held a solid lead going into the sheds at 28-6.

Western Suburbs began the second half well with some excellent offensive work by Mason Talolua who softened up the Kingsgove line and then offloaded to Andrew Sultuna who scored his second try of the game.Tom Satterswaite took the conversion kick but was unsuccessful Wests 32-6.

Wests looked a million dollars in the first twenty minutes of the second half as the ramped up the scoring pressure.George Khoury was the next to score. With kicking duties rotated, this time Junior Vaivai took the extras kick but couldn't nab the points Wests 36-6

Despite Wests dominance, Kingsgrove refused to give in.Coleman Edmond epitomised his teams workrate making several surging runs at the Wests defence. The persistence by the Colts would pay off. With use of the high bomb fifth tackle kick, Jayden Tavae was able to gather a dropped Wests ball and score. Unfortunately Jordie Hodges could not convert for KIngsgrove 36-10 Wests.

The last twenty minutes for Wests was awful, with dropped balls in defence and in attack. Kingsgrove would again score via a Dwayne Brown try. Again Hodges missed leaving the score at full time 36-14 in favour of Wests.

Kingsgrove can take plenty of heart out of their performance, whilst Wests won comfortably, they have some errors that need to be taken out of their game. Full Back Sam Aiga’s efforts could be best described as a 50-50 game, making several handling errors including a mixed up call for a return ball which nearly ended in disaster when he collided with a fellow team-mate. Thankfully it wasn't a sustained blow. To Aiga’s credit he was determined to continue working hard for his team and he was clearly disappointed with his mistakes. Something he will surely work on in the coming weeks.

Wests enter a period of 6 consecutive home games and will be looking to build on the opportunity. They face The Entrance Tigers on Saturday at Lidcombe Oval starting at 3 pm. Kingsgrove Colts return home to play the Guildford Owls at Hurstville Oval.

Wests Magpies sit at fourth place on the Ron Massey Cup competition table with 5 wins and three losses, whilst Kingsgrove are placed at 10th spot with one win, one draw and six losses.